Chameleon; 1982-2012.

30 years and counting....

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Formed in 1982 in the North-East of England, now pursuing its low-key campaign for world domination from a base in the North-West,Chameleon specialises in a brand of feel-good groove-orientated jazz-funk for which it has established a loyal following and a solid reputation in the UK and abroad. After thirty years playing this music with energy, passion and respect, mixing inventive arrangements of the work of the masters with original material from current and past members, the band continues to combine disciplined musicianship with a sense of fun, playing its music whenever and wherever the opportunity arises.

*Update. After six years' unstinting service with the band, Mark Townson left in the summer of 2011 to move to France. He'll be much missed. We're delighted to announce that the great guitarist Gary Boyle, a true legend of British jazz fusion with an incredible CV, has joined the band.

So, featuring on most if not all  gigs henceforth are;  Gary Boyle, Guitars; Tim Franks, Drums; Avril Greenhow Parker, Keyboards; Stuart Johnson, Saxophones; Dave Turner, Basses.    

And here they are, in that order............

And here they were; thanks for everything, Mark

Photography; Peter Holgate.

Contactstuart@stuartjohnson.co.uk for availability.

Click here and scroll for performance updates and sounds.

Click here and scroll for background information.

For Chameleon minutiae going back to the dawn of time, click here  for the press archive.

Background image;Jonathan Pearson

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The Pictorial History.

1982: Stuart Johnson, Don Richardson, Pete Papprill, John Rhodes.

Photography: Terry Lowe.

1983: John Rhodes, Keith Rae, Barry Dickinson, Steve Pinnell, Stuart Johnson.

1985: Paul Robinson, Paul Smith, Keith Peberdy, Paul Brown, Race Newton, Stuart Johnson.

1986: Paul Robinson, Stuart Johnson, Race Newton.

Photography; Terry Lowe.

!

1987: Bob Malinowski,Race Newton, Andy Watson,Paul Robinson, Stuart Johnson, Adrian Rea.

Photography; John Jeakins.

1989: (Two images, above & below): Phil Laughlin, Stuart Johnson, Adrian Rea, Andy Watson, Race Newton.

Photography; Alistair Smith.

'Worth seeing, but not worth going to see'.  Samuel Johnson was, of course, referring to The Giants' Causeway.............

1991: Paul Brown, Aidan Lawrence, Race Newton, Stuart Johnson, Adrian Rea.

Photography; Mark Williams.

1996: Paul Smith, Stuart Johnson, Race Newton.

Photography; Matthew Simpson.

2005: Stuart Johnson, Avril Greenhow Parker, Neil Harland.

2006: Avril Greenhow Parker, Tim Franks, Pete Martin, Stuart Johnson, Dave Turner, Mark Townson.

Photography; Geoff Amos.

How to market your gig to the local community!  With thanks to David Gosling, tireless promoter par excellence.

2011: Still here

Thanks to all of the players who have been a regular part of Chameleon at various times in the last three decades. This list doesn't include deps and special guests, who must number at least as many again. 

Bass: Dave Papprill; Don Richardson; Pete Ayton; Paul Scott; Keith Peberdy; Keith Rae; Bob Malinowski; Pete Stuart; Aidan Lawrence; Phil Laughlin; Neil Harland; Jon Thorne; Joel Allison, Dave Turner. Drums: Craig Ellis; Grzesiu Garnys; Steve Pinnell; Paul Thompson; Adrian Rea; Paul Smith; Adrian Tilbrook; Tim Franks. Keyboards: Ray Johns; Barry Dickinson; Paul Flush; Bob Peacock; Race Newton; Avril Greenhow Parker. Guitar: John Rhodes; Paul Brown; Andy Watson; Dave Dryden; Brian Dales; Mark Townson; Gary Boyle. Trumpet: Pete Papprill, Pete Martin, Kevin Eland. Saxophone: Stuart Johnson, Jack Laing. Vocals: Brian Dales. Violin: Paul Robinson.

There'll always be a pub gig somewhere........

.........and if the going gets really tough.........

..........we can emigrate.